COVID-19 Civic Freedom Tracker
Keep Civic Space Healthy
This tracker monitors government responses to the pandemic that affect civic freedoms and human rights, focusing on emergency laws. For information about our methodology, click here.
For more information and analysis by region, click here.
The COVID-19 Civic Freedom Tracker is a collaborative effort by the ICNL, ECNL, and our global network of partners, with generous research support from the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin. This is an ongoing effort, and we welcome you to email us at adeblock@icnl.org and simona@ecnl.org to share additional resources.
Border Closure
The government closed the northern and southern land borders to address the spread of COVID-19.
(See primary source or citation here)Introduced 18 Mar 2021
Issue(s): Movement
Type: order
Suspension of Deadlines for Access to Information Laws
This declaration suspends deadlines established under several laws related to public transparency and public access to information.
(See primary source or citation here)Introduced 20 Mar 2020
Issue(s): Access to Information
Type: order
Preventive Measures to Mitigate and Control Health Risks Caused by COVID-19
The regulation issued by the Ministry of Health suspends "until further notice" mass events and meetings and congregations of more than 100 people. (See primary source or citation here)
Introduced 24 Mar 2020
Issue(s): Assembly
Type: regulation
Bulletin No. 144/2021
The Mexican Government announced the installation of new "sanitary and inspection filters" on the south border with Guatemala, authorizing the use of drones and night vision equipment. Land crossings for non-essential activities are banned for 30 days, with the possibility for extension.
(See primary source or citation here)Introduced 19 Mar 2021
Issue(s): Surveillance, Movement
Type: policy
Cellphone Monitoring
Telephone companies are obliged to provide access to cellphone antennas to enable the Digital Agency for Public Innovation (ADIP) to monitor movement of and contact between people in Mexico City, with the objective of identifying whether people comply with isolation instructions. (See primary source or citation here)
Introduced 21 Mar 2020
Issue(s): Surveillance, Privacy
Type: practice